DGM collects, stores, maintains, and regularly exhibits historical and cultural objects, artifacts, photographs, works of art, printed materials, and audiovisual materials that relate to and emphasize the history and cultural development of our region, including Blytheville, Mississippi County, Northeast Arkansas, Southeast Missouri, and the Arkansas Delta. Planned exhibits will illustrate prehistoric and protohistoric Native American cultures; the importance of the timber industry and the development of cotton agriculture; the historical effects and continuing threat of earthquakes and flooding; the regional impact of the Air Force base and steel mills; and the development of river, rail, and highway transportation.

Delta Gateway Museum opened to the public in November, 2011. The museum facility is overseen by the Delta Gateway Museum Commission, an independent agency created by city ordinance in 2007 for the sole purpose of establishing the museum. The Museum Commission is responsible for managing the facility’s annual expense budget provided by the City of Blytheville, formulating policy, raising funds and supervising the upkeep of the Kress Building, and hiring professional staff to manage day-to-day operations.

In 2009, museum volunteers organized a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for professional, long term exhibit development. With federal 501(c)3 non-profit status and incorporated under Arkansas state law as a non-profit organization, DGM Association assists the Museum Commission with exhibit development, collections acquisition and care, and educational programming.

The historic Kress Building is owned by the City of Blytheville. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, the building has been rehabilitated according to federal standards for buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in accordance with the Standard Building Code and EPA guidelines. The renovation meets the “Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties” set by the Secretary of the Interior, as well as ADA standards for accessibility and restrooms. DGM currently uses about 6,000 square feet of exhibit, collections storage, and administrative space. As funding becomes available for additional building renovations and rehabilitation, the usable space will eventually increase to 22,000 square feet.

Basic annual operating support (utilities, communications, facility, staff) is provided by the City of Blytheville through dedicated Parks & Recreation tax revenue. Funding for exhibits, collections, and programming is provided by grants, corporate sponsorships, and private donations.

In Memoriam...

Dr. Claudine Payne passed away on Friday, December 13, 2013. She was vice chair of the Delta Gateway Museum Commission and president of the DGM Association Board of Directors. Claudine was passionate about Delta Gateway Museum! She devoted a great deal of her time, expertise, and personal resources to turning this dream into reality. We honor her memory by continuing to raise funds and march forward with our plans for permanent, professional exhibits.